What's Happening with the Capital's Scaffold-Wrapped Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For half a decade, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists find no available accommodations, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the structure could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has described it as a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The 136-bedroom hotel was built on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the corner of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said construction activity had obliged them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also home to dining franchise a chain – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the scaffold towards the end of next year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not a try to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They added: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by local residents and businesses.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a blight for years, and I echo the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."